DNP: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurses choose the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role because they want to remain connected to clinical practice while extending their impact beyond individual patients. As one of the four advanced practice registered nurse roles, clinical nurse specialists provide advanced assessment and clinical management; consult with nurses and interprofessional teams; translate evidence into practice; and lead improvements affecting patients and families, nursing practice, and health care organizations.
UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) specialty prepares registered nurses to improve care for adults and older adults with acute, chronic, complex, and critical health conditions. Graduates combine advanced clinical expertise with leadership in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient safety, nursing education, and health system change.
This specialty incorporates principles of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model for Patient Care, which recognizes that optimal outcomes occur when nursing competencies are matched with patient and family needs. Students learn to evaluate patient characteristics such as complexity, vulnerability, stability, resilience, and available resources and to align clinical expertise and organizational systems with those needs.
This specialty is a good fit for experienced registered nurses who are interested in complex clinical care and systems improvement. Are you analytical, collaborative, committed to nursing excellence, and prepared to question existing practices, apply evidence, and lead meaningful change? Apply to this specialty and launch your CNS career.
Why Earn Your DNP in the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Specialty at UMSON
UMSON prepares you to practice across the full scope of the CNS role, including advanced assessment, diagnosis, clinical management, consultation, evidence translation, nursing workforce development, and systems leadership. Graduates are prepared to pursue national AGCNS certification and, upon meeting applicable state licensure and certification requirements, practice to the full extent permitted by state law, including prescriptive authority where authorized.
You’ll complete portions of the program alongside other advanced practice students. You’ll also participate in selected diagnosis and management learning experiences with Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students, an interprofessional approach that allows you to understand the distinct and complementary contributions of clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners while learning how the roles collaborate to improve care.
The School’s affiliation with the University of Maryland Medical Center provides you with access to a major academic health system and diverse clinical environments, including the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the nation’s first and only integrated trauma center. This partnership offers exposure to highly complex patient care and advanced interdisciplinary practice. This is just an example of one of our clinical sites; our students gain clinical experience at many hospitals throughout the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region.
The specialty builds on UMSON’s more than 70-year history of CNS education and its long-standing commitment to preparing advanced practice nurses and nursing leaders.
Certification Exams and Pass Rates
- When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to apply for national board certification through either of the following organizations, provided you meet all current eligibility requirements:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nursing’s Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examination, which awards the ACCNS-AG credential
- American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examination, which awards the AGCNS-BC credential
- Congratulations to our 2025 graduates, who earned a 100% pass rate on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification exam.
Program Snapshot
Length
As little as 3 years
Format
Blended (face-to-face and online)
Tuition and Fees View overview
In State Tuition: $926/credit hour
Out of State Tuition: $1,643/credit hour
Out of State Tuition: $1,643/credit hour
Credits
80 credits, 1,085 clinical/practicum hours
Accreditation Read Details
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
How the Program Works
- This program is offered as a great mix of primarily face-to-face, supportive instruction (AGCNS specialty course) and select online synchronous classes (some DNP core courses) taught by faculty with expertise in advanced clinical practice and systems leadership.
- In-person instruction supports discussion, clinical skill development, and interaction with faculty and classmates.
- Simulation and standardized patient experiences complement classroom and clinical learning.
- Clinical placements are located throughout the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region. UMSON faculty and staff coordinate high-quality placements in settings that care for adults and older adults with acute, chronic, complex, and critical health conditions.
- Clinical experiences prepare students across the full scope of AGCNS practice, including direct patient care, consultation, evidence translation, quality improvement, education, and systems leadership.
This specialty offers three-, four-, and five-year plans of study:
- 3-Year: Starts in summer only. This is primarily for students who have a fully funded education and don’t need to work. About 10 - 15% of the student population.
- 4-Year: Starts in the summer only. This is primarily for students who can work only part time. About 40 - 45% of the student population.
- 5-Year: Starts in the fall only. This is primarily for students who need to continue working full time while studying. About 40 - 45% of the student population.
During the application review and interview process, the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships team will discuss plan of study options with applicants.
You may indicate a preferred plan; however, final placement into a three-, four-, or five-year plan, including the start term, is determined by DNP leadership, based on academic readiness and overall preparation.
In some cases, a review of prior coursework (a gap analysis) may indicate that you should begin your DNP program in a later semester than originally anticipated. For example, an applicant who applies with a preference for a four-year plan beginning in the summer may be offered admission to the five-year plan beginning in the fall if additional coursework is needed.
Choose one of four paths to your DNP.
Our Doctor of Nurse Practice program has an option that fits your goals and experience, whether you 1) have your BSN, 2) have your master's in nursing or a related field, 3) are already a nurse practitioner, 4) are looking to change your specialty. Focus your energy and resources on only those courses that you need to achieve your goals. Learn more about our DNP pathways.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll meet or exceed national AGCNS competencies and will be prepared to:
- provide expert clinical care for acutely and critically ill adults and older adults
- support management of complex medical, surgical, and multisystem conditions
- integrate the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model and CNS core competencies into all aspects of clinical practice
- recognize, manage, and consult on clinical deterioration and complex acute, chronic, high-acuity clinical conditions
- apply advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical judgment
- utilize invasive and noninvasive monitoring and advanced technologies
- coach and support nurses and teams to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes
- lead and evaluate evidence‑based practice and quality improvement initiatives
- apply data‑informed and technology‑enabled decision‑support tools to enhance safety and efficiency
- strengthen interprofessional collaboration, communication, and crisis response
- assess and mitigate the social determinants of health to promote equitable, high-quality care.
You’ll also complete a DNP project focused on evidence‑based practice, quality improvement, or system‑level impact, designed to improve outcomes for patients, staff, and populations across acute care settings.
What You’ll Do After Graduation
Clinical nurse specialists practice as expert clinicians, consultants, educators, and system leaders across high‑acuity health care environments, providing advanced nursing care to adults and older adults with acute, chronic, complex, and critical health conditions.
Graduates are prepared to improve patient outcomes through advanced clinical expertise, strengthen nursing practice through education and consultation, and lead quality and safety initiatives that advance care delivery in complex acute care systems.
As an AGCNS, your clinical practice environment can be diverse, dynamic, and far-reaching:
- nursing professional practice leader
- quality improvement leader
- consultant
- patient safety specialist
- health system consultant.
Practice settings include:
- acute care and community hospitals
- aademic medical centers
- medical, surgical, cardiac, and specialty ICUs
- tauma centers and emergency departments
- specialty inpatient services (oncology, cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology, surgery, and hospital medicine)
- long‑term acute care hospitals and transitional care settings
- military and Veterans Administration health facilities.
- private industry as a consultant, leader or educator
Competency-Based Education
This program’s curriculum is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, which focus on competency-based education (CBE). CBE is a student-centered approach that is built on the science of how we learn and provides multiple opportunities for you to demonstrate and use what you are learning as you learn it.
More Information
Courses You'll Take: Summer 2027 and Later
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. .
Post-BSN:
Plans of Study for Fall 2016 and Beyond:
Post-Master's:
P: Prerequisite
C: Corequisite
( ): Hours; unless specified, are clinical
D: Didactic
Pr: Practicum
Post-BSN: Three-Year Plan of Study
|
Summer Year 1 |
Credits |
|
NDNP 700: Advanced Professional Nursing Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 701: Professional Writing |
1 |
|
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology |
3 |
|
Total |
7 |
|
Fall Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 702: Health Care Delivery: Quality, Access, and Economics |
3 |
|
NDNP 704: Population/Global Health |
3 (45) |
|
NDNP 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span |
3 |
|
Total |
9 |
|
Spring Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 706: Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics |
4 |
|
NDNP 708: Health Care Informatics for Advanced Practice |
3 (45) |
|
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span |
4 |
|
Total |
11 |
|
Summer Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy |
3 |
|
NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning |
3 (45) |
|
NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill |
2 |
|
Total |
8 |
|
Fall Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 712: Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems |
3 (45) |
|
NDNP 714: Translating Evidence to Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic |
4 |
|
NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
13 |
|
Spring Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 810: DNP Project Development |
3 (90) |
|
NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions |
4 |
|
NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
10 |
|
Summer Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 811: DNP Project Planning |
1 |
|
NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes |
2 |
|
NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Fall Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation |
2 (45) |
|
NDNP 891: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems: Clinical |
4 (180) |
|
NDNP 860: Transition Into APRN Practice Roles |
1 |
|
Total |
10 |
|
Spring Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination |
1 5 Pr hours |
|
NDNP 829c: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership/Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles: Clinical |
5 (225) |
|
Total |
6 |
Total: 80 Credits (1085 Hours [275 Practicum/810 Clinical])
Post-BSN: Four-Year Plan of Study
|
Summer Year 1 |
Credits |
|
NDNP 700: Advanced Professional Nursing Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 701: Professional Writing |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
|
Fall Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 702: Health Care Delivery: Quality, Access, and Economics |
3 |
|
NDNP 704: Population/Global Health |
3 (45) |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Spring Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 706: Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics |
4 |
|
NDNP 708: Health Care Informatics for Advanced Practice |
3 (45) |
|
Total |
7 |
|
Summer Year 2 |
|
|
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology |
3 |
|
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy |
3 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Fall Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 712: Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems |
3 (45) |
|
NDNP 714: Translating Evidence to Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span |
3 |
|
Total |
9 |
|
Spring Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 810: DNP Project Development |
3 (90) |
|
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span |
4 |
|
Total |
7 |
|
Summer Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 811: DNP Project Planning |
1 |
|
NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning |
3 (45) |
|
NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill |
2 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Fall Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation |
2 (45) |
|
NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic |
4 |
|
NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
9 |
|
Spring Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination |
1 5 Pr hours |
|
NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions |
4 |
|
NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
8 |
|
Summer Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes |
2 |
|
NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
5 |
|
Fall Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 891: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems: Clinical |
4 (180) |
|
NDNP 860: Transition Into APRN Practice Roles |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
|
Spring Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 829c: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership/Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles: Clinical |
5 (225) |
|
Total |
5 |
Total: 80 Credits (1,085 Hours [275 Practicum/810 Clinical])
Post-BSN: Five-Year Plan of Study
|
Fall Year 1 |
Credits |
|
NDNP 700: Advanced Professional Nursing Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 701: Professional Writing |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
|
Spring Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 702: Health Care Delivery: Quality, Access, and Economics |
3 |
|
NDNP 704: Population/Global Health |
3 (45) |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Summer Year 1 |
|
|
NDNP 706: Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics |
4 |
|
Total |
4 |
|
Fall Year 2 |
|
|
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Spring Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 708: Health Care Informatics for Advanced Practice |
3 (45) |
|
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy |
3 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Summer Year 2 |
|
|
NDNP 712: Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems |
3 (45) |
|
Total |
3 |
|
Fall Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 714: Translating Evidence to Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span |
3 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Spring Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 810: DNP Project Development |
3 (90) |
|
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span |
4 |
|
Total |
7 |
|
Summer Year 3 |
|
|
NDNP 811: DNP Project Planning |
1 |
|
NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning |
3 (45) |
|
NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill |
2 |
|
Total |
6 |
|
Fall Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation |
2 (45) |
|
NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic |
4 |
|
NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
9 |
|
Spring Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination |
1 5 Pr hours |
|
NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions |
4 |
|
NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
8 |
|
Summer Year 4 |
|
|
NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes |
2 |
|
NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
Total |
5 |
|
Fall Year 5 |
|
|
NDNP 891: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems: Clinical |
4 (180) |
|
NDNP 860: Transition Into APRN Practice Roles |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
|
Spring Year 5 |
|
|
NDNP 829c: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership/Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles: Clinical |
5 (225) |
|
Total |
5 |
Total: 80 Credits (1,085 [275 Practicum/810 Clinical])
Post-Master's: Requirements
( ): Hours; unless specified, are clinical
Pr: Practicum
DNP Core (33 Credits; 275 Hours) 1
|
Course Number/Title |
Credits |
|
NDNP 700: Advanced Professional Nursing Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 701: Professional Writing |
1 |
|
NDNP 702: Health Care Delivery: Quality, Access, and Economics |
3 |
|
NDNP 704: Population/Global Health |
3, 2D/1Pr (45) |
|
NDNP 706: Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics |
4 |
|
NDNP 708: Health Care Informatics for Advanced Practice |
3, 2D/1Pr (45) |
|
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy |
3 |
|
NDNP 712: Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems |
3, 2D/1Pr (45) |
|
NDNP 714: Translating Evidence to Practice |
3 |
|
NDNP 810: DNP Project Development |
3, 1D/2Pr (90) |
|
NDNP 811: DNP Project Planning |
1 |
|
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation |
2, 1D/1Pr (45) |
|
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination |
1 (5 Pr. hours) |
APRN Core (11 Credits) 2
|
Course Number/Title |
Credits |
|
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology |
3 * |
|
NDNP 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span |
3 * |
|
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span |
4, 2D/2Lab * |
|
NDNP 860: Transition Into APRN Practice Roles |
1 * |
Specialty-Specific Courses (33 Credits; 810 Clinical Hours) 3
|
Course Number/Title |
Credits |
|
NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill |
2 |
|
NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning |
3, 2D/1Lab (45) |
|
NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic |
4 |
|
NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions |
4 |
|
NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes |
2 |
|
NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Clinical |
3 (135) |
|
NDNP 891: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: Clinical |
4 (180) |
|
NDNP 829c: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership/Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles: Clinical |
5 (225) |
Minimum Specialty-Specific Core Credits Required: 12 3 *
Minimum DNP Core + Specialty Core Credits Required: 45 1, 2, 3 *
Total Credits to Earn Degree: 45 - 80 4, 5 *
Total Clinical/Practicum Hours to Earn Degree: 1,085 5, 6 *
- Maximum of two courses can be transferred to satisfy DNP Core.*
- APRN Core may not be required.*
- Minimum of 12 Specialty-Specific Core credits required.*
- All students must complete a minimum of 45 credits to receive a DNP with specialty. *
- Additional credits as needed to meet APRN certification and the 1,085-hour requirement. *
- Maximum of 500 clinical hours from a prior advanced practice program may be applied toward the required 1,085 hours. All students must complete at least 585 of the 1,085 clinical, practicum, or practice hours at UMSON. *
* The final determination is made at the time of admission. The specialty director will complete the National Task Force (NTF) for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education's Sample Form B: Gap Analysis Documentation Form for NP Post-Graduate Certificate Program to assess eligible courses and clinical hours earned through a prior degree program and current APRN practice experience.
This evaluation will be used to establish the student’s specific plan of study.
All gap analysis documentation becomes part of the student’s permanent record.
Scholarship Opportunities
Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.
UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.
| Type of Aid | Award |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | various award amounts |
| Merit Scholarships | $1,500-$3,000 per semester (You are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon submitting a completed application for enrollment in an UMSON academic program.) |
| Donor-Funded Scholarships | $500-2,000 per semester (offered during the fall and spring semesters) |
| Conway Scholarship | 50%: in-state tuition, fees, and books (for those who will have completed 9 credit hours of graduate study by the start of the semester for which the Conway Scholarship is awarded and who have at least half of their credit hours remaining) |
| Graduate Assistantships | stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance |
Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships
All students receiving funds through the University must:
- be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
- complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
- FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
- FAFSA School code: 002104
The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.
Contact Us:
UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu
UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu
DNP Admission Information
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offers Summer and Fall admission pathways.
In this section:
- Deadlines
- Qualifications
- Application Materials and Instructions
- Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S
Deadlines:
For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the deadlines listed below.
| Fall 2026 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Priority Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration | Nov. 3, 2025 Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required). Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline. |
| Final Deadline | July 1, 2026 All applications and supplemental documents must be received by this date. Incomplete applications after this deadline will be canceled. |
|
Summer/Fall 2027 Timeline
|
Date
|
|---|---|
|
Application Opens
|
June 3, 2026
|
|
Priority Application Deadline
|
Nov. 1, 2026
|
|
Priority Application Review
|
November 2026 - January 2027
|
|
Interviews
|
Beginning January 2027
|
|
Rolling Admissions
|
Nov. 2, 2026 until specialty capacity is reached
|
Should the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted through the subsequent business day.
- After the admissions committee file review, applicants may be invited to an on-campus interview.
- Applicants not selected for an interview will not be advanced to the next stage of applicant review.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a completed application by the Priority Application Deadline of November 1, 2026. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and will receive priority consideration for available seats.
Applications received after the priority deadline will continue to be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis until all seats within a specialty have been filled. Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline.
Qualifications:
- bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from:
- an ACEN- (formally known as NLNAC), CCNE- or NLN CNEA- accredited college or university
or - an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
- an ACEN- (formally known as NLNAC), CCNE- or NLN CNEA- accredited college or university
- an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
Work experience requirements, if applicable, are included under the Required Work Experience dropdown on each DNP specialty page.
Application Materials and Instructions:
|
Materials |
Submission Guidelines |
|
Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee. |
Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard. The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:
You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates. |
|
Two recommendations. Recommendations must come from sources knowledgeable about your work performance and experience. Only the first two recommendations received will be considered. |
Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard. |
|
Essay. You may submit the essay portion with your online application. We recommend that you compose the essay portion using word processing software and copy and paste it into the text box in the online application. Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following: How will earning this degree (or postdoctoral certificate) impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation? |
|
|
Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission. |
|
|
A copy of your valid, unrestricted (current) RN license in the United States. For a current list of compact states, see the Maryland Board of Nursing website; if you hold an active Maryland RN license, send us a copy of your printable license verification, available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website. |
|
|
Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution. Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application. Please note that UMSON is listed two ways in the Academics area. Please make sure you choose one of the following:
|
Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu. |
|
Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. |
Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission. |
An interview with selected applicants will be arranged after the applications are received and reviewed.
Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master's degree to apply for the AGCNS specialty at UMSON?
No. The AGCNS specialty offers a BSN-to-DNP pathway, which means you need only a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university to apply.
What are the admission requirements?
Applicants will be evaluated using UMSON's Doctor of Nursing Practice admissions requirements. In addition, you must be currently employed in an acute care nursing setting and have at least two years of continuous full-time bedside acute-care RN experience at the time of application.
What type of work experience is required to be eligible to apply?
At least two years of continuous full-time, acute-care nursing experience is required at the time of application. We prefer direct patient care nursing experience in emergency room, intensive care, intermediate care, step-down, or telemetry units. Eligible nursing experience must involve sustained responsibility for managing a patient’s care trajectory, allowing for the development of core internal medicine and critical care knowledge. Nursing experience on a post-anesthesia care unit or rapid response team is also acceptable; however, experience in the operating room, outpatient settings, or pediatric units alone does not meet the acute care experience requirement for AGCNS.
In the past, the average work experience of our accepted applicants was between three and five years.
What should be included in the application essay?
Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing:
- why you want to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in the AGCNS specialty
- what motivated you to seek the AGCNS specialty as an advanced practice specialty
- what your plans are following your education.
What can I expect during the interview process?
During the interview process, you will interact with our faculty members to ask and answer questions for approximately 30 minutes.
Who should I ask to complete my letters of recommendation?
Applicants to the AGCNS specialty should obtain at least one letter of recommendation from an acute care unit manager or clinical supervisor. This recommendation should address overall job performance, teamwork, and experience caring for acutely and critically ill adult and geriatric patients. Letters should highlight exposure to high‑acuity care and relevant clinical skills such as central line monitoring, ventilator management, and infusion therapy, as well as readiness to transition from the RN role to advanced practice (e.g., serving as a mentor, leading quality improvement or evidence-based practice projects).
Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
No. The GRE is not a requirement.
Do you require a Maryland nursing license to apply for the specialty?
No, Maryland licensure is not required to complete the application process. Applicants will be required to submit a copy of their valid, current, unencumbered/unrestricted RN license from the state in which they are currently working. Once applicants are accepted into the AGCNS specialty, they will need to have and maintain a Maryland license.
How competitive is the application process?
The selection process is very competitive. The admissions committee evaluates applicants past academic performance, work experience, and letters of recommendation. The number of applicants varies each year.
How many students are accepted each year?
We generally accept up to 20 students each year.
Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?
We highly recommend that you spend several hours shadowing a certified registered clinical nurse specilaist in your current workplace. Most surgical or medical departments are happy to assist you with this experience.
Beyond ensuring that you have the relevant and required work experience, it is recommended that you address the admissions essay prompt questions thoroughly. Aim to craft a strong piece that helps to distinguish you as an applicant and provide a clear narrative to complement the other components of your application packet. We strongly recommend you seek your two letters of recommendation from recent professional and/or academic references who have worked with you in a relevant and applicable capacity.
Other characteristics that can make you a strong applicant:
- involvement in professional organizations
- involvement in employee shared governance
- strong science foundation
- track record of resilience.
Can I work while I’m enrolled in this program?
This specialty offers three-, four-, and five-year plans of study:
- 3-Year: This is primarily for students who have a fully funded education and don’t need to work.
- 4-Year: This is primarily for students who can work only part time.
- 5-Year: This is primarily for students who need to continue working full time while studying.
How can I get additional information?
Email the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships at admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu or call 410-706-0501 (option 2). For more information about the roles and responsibilities of clinical nurse specialists, visit the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses website.
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